New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-04
PRESIDENT CLEvELAYD'S RECORD.

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brings ripcr experience it is true, but also
hopes chilled by contact with events and aims
dnllcd OF perverted 10y contact with his party.
Richer and larger fruitagc from this field can
hardly with reason he expected in the second
half of his term than has been gathered during
his first two years. To assist judgment of
the results thus far, a record OF the doings oil
President Cleycland's Administration from the
4th Of March, 1885, to tho 4th of March,
1887, is printed to- day, with references which
enable every one 20 examine the evidence who
has access to the files Of public journals. II
Is to be presumed that any Administration would
| discharge its duty in the great majority OF
cases with fidelity. No great party, no Admin
isra6on, can so far 9uench the promptings OF
patriotism or Of self interest as TO disregard
the public welfare ordinarily and habitually.
To say that President has appointed compe-
tent and worthy men in most cases and has in
most cases obeyed and enforced the law to the
hest of his ability, is only to say that he has not
been blind to sclf-incrcst.
| President Cleveland has removed, suspended
and called for designations Of moro public otlic-
ials and more officials Of admitted worth and
fitness, than any other President in American
trayed the party by which he was elected, and
strove TO break it down by use of his patronage,
made fewer changes in two years than Prcs-
don't Cleveland has made. An unavoidable
consequence Of such haste in SOLICIT
ing 10000 men untried in public
service is that many unworthy per.
sons have beer chosen, but the number OF
mistakes by President Cleveland is surprising,
and many are peculiarly offensive. a hardened
perpetrator Of election frauds. the tool of Il
most INSCRIPTIONS manager, was deliberately
made appointment clerk Of the Treasury after
volumes Of protest and evidence had been
placed bcforc the President by honest Demo-
Gratis. A vihfcr of Lincoln was made pension
clerk, and a scarf pin from the skull of Union
soldier is daily worn by an officer in ono OF the
departments Commissions are given to many
convicts, and to some persons who arc in jail
when appointed. Judges arc appointed who
know nothing Of law, and others who are swind-
lers. and land shark is made Chief Justice OF
a Territory The few unpardoned rcbes are
selected for distinction minister Is sent 10
Italy and to Austria whom both nations refuse
10 receive wife heater and drunkard is sent
t. uphold tho honor Of the flag at one foreign
pert: a swindling dealer in old clothes at
another a minister at foreign court gets
drunk. and another engages in collection OF
claims against the Government to which
he is sent. The most painful fact
regarding many Of these cases is
that the President appointed in spite of
grave charges placed before him. or upheld and
sust aimed improper men in Office after their
misconduct was known.
The Secretary Of State, ayowedly anxious as
free tr oder to bring about removal OF duties
On Canadian fish, sacrifices the interests Of
American fishers at the suggestion Of the Brit
lsh Minister, and fails to protect by uc OF
powers intrustcd to him American ycssels Of
which scores are wrongfully seized. But in
hot haste, and without law, he demands instant
release of a citizen imprisoned by Mexican
State, for an offence which proves 10 have lccn
committed on Mexican soil. He ncgotatcs an
| cxtradtion trcaty which in effect would sur-
render the time-honored American principle
respecting the trial of persons charged with po-
| litical offences The President refuses to use
| rctaatory power entrusted to him by Congress
| for defence Of American fishers, but the Sec
rotary nearly defeats broader act TO the same
end 10y insisting that still larger and unrca-
sonablc powers should lie granted.
| The domestic administration has been marked
by greater scandals than any other for many
years. Other Administrations have been quick
to cut off offending officials the Republican
party never failed to expose and punish the
misconduct Of Republicans in Office. When a
Secretary was charged with profting to a small
extent by purchases of Indian stores, there " as
race between the Secretary and the House.
the Secretary to resign before Republican
| House could impeach him. But President
| Cleveland keeps in his Cabinet an Attorney
General proved guilty Of pockehng consider
able sums gained by use Of his official name
| in aid Of joG Ivy which many innocent persons
were deceived to their loss I; the enhrc power OF
| the Government il cxcrtcd TO shield him, and
eminent attorneys arc employed, at a cost OF
10000 or more from the Treasury, to bring
! in the aid of his speculation srut in the name
of Government, and that suit disgracefully
failed. The Indian Bureau is detected in CIV
ing trade licenses TO persons who use them to
extort money from honest traders and arc back
cd by the bureau even TO the expulsion and
rninng Of traders who refuse. The Navy De
partmcnt drives into bankruptcy tie most emil
nent American ship-buildcr by abucs OF power
and wrongful conccalmcnts Of fact which would
have forced a Republican Secretary out OF
Office in short order. 1t buys at great cost
plans for naval vessels from Great Britain
which proved imperfect, and allows naval Off
Gers TO act as agents for foreign contractors.
Behind all these scandals there runs the CON
slant and unhlushng use of the public service
for partisan ends. The breaking down of Civil
Service reform until it has become an object
of ridculc 10 the party in power, the selection
Of a party hack and campaign manager To- play
the role Of George William Curtis and Doman
b. Eaton as chief Of the Commission, the use
OF navy wards and naval vessels to carry cicc-
TONS and the open activity Of Federal officers
in controlling conventions and managing eloo
tions are conspicuous features of this Admin